These people are messed up.
LOVE DirtRooster's channel....just mesmerizing to watch those swarm removals and I love his easy breezy approach to things.
The hive I lost had a traditional wood top covered in tin. There were signs on the top that it must have had imperfect corners that allowed water to seep in. The one that survived had a plastic composite top that did not allow moisture to come through the top. I live in NC, so we don't get prolonged cold weather. I have screened bottom boards that allow good ventilation. I use mouse guards that prevent rodents from getting in but don't restrict airflow at the entry. This is my second winter with bees, always learning!
Just catching up to the thread, sorry for stepping out. Yes, Beekissed, it was a hit to lose my girls. I wondered if leaving sugar water in there over the winter was the wrong way to go. They were wrapped in construction-type plastic--maybe not enough ventilation, though I had thought about it. It was very cold this winter, but I envisioned them in there all clustered together and keeping warm. Another beekeeper told me not to worry about the mold, that the next bees would clean it up; but that concerns me. I'm on hold for now.
Thanks for letting me know! Always a good thing to know when one is constructing a homemade hive out of the dark recesses of the mind, what to put in, what to leave out, as one builds along.
I had read on Michael Bush's site about the screened bottom boards letting in too much air, both summer and winter, when the bees are trying to keep the brood warm or cool.....in the summer it lets in too much warm,moist air and in the winter, too much damp and cool air, even in southern climates. Also was reading on his site about folks wrapping the hives for winter and how much moisture that keeps inside the hive....and, just like in keeping chickens, hives that are wrapped up too tightly in the winter months die from the condensation/humidity freezing on them in the hive quicker than they will from just the cold temps.
Also been reading about having a well insulated lid on the hive, so trying to incorporate elements of good insulation while also providing the right amount and kind of ventilation on this hive build. Sure hope I get it right...right now I'm trying to mimic what kind of insulation and ventilation bees choose when they establish a hive in trees, in old houses, underneath houses, etc.
Any of y'all beeking in those new foam hives? Talked to an old beekeeper in the farm store the other day who was getting back into bees after many years hiatus and he has purchased a foam hive. I've since read many pros and cons of the foam hives, so wondering if any on here are using them and what they like or don't like about them?
